Why it matters:
The growing divide between Trump and Netanyahu reflects a significant shift in U.S. West Asia strategy, with Trump’s team increasingly prioritizing ties with Persian Gulf states over an unconditional alliance with Israel.
What he's saying:
Trump publicly condemned the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington and reaffirmed his status as "the most pro-Israel president in history." Yet, privately, he’s reportedly frustrated with Netanyahu’s inflexible positions—especially his resistance to ending the Gaza conflict.
What they're saying:
Five current and former U.S. officials told Politico that friction between Trump and Netanyahu has grown noticeably in recent weeks. One former official noted:
“Some in Trump’s team simply don’t feel a special emotional bond with Israel. They see it as a partner—but not one we should keep indulging.”Another source close to the White House added: “Netanyahu is seen as the most difficult person to deal with in all regional files.”
Key points:
- Despite historically close ties, Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are now at odds over major regional issues, especially the prolonged Gaza war and Israel’s approach to Iran.
- Trump’s foreign policy is pivoting away from unconditional support for Israel and toward pragmatic alliances with Persian Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which align more closely with his diplomatic and financial priorities.
Go deeper:
Trump aimed for diplomatic wins via Israel, like Saudi normalization, and sent Steve Witkoff to mediate an Israel-Hamas ceasefire before his inauguration. However, these efforts failed in March when Saudi Arabia conditioned normalization on a lasting Gaza ceasefire and progress towards a Palestinian state, demands that Netanyahu rejected.
ahmad shirzadian
